What If I Mess Up?

In Relief Society this past Sunday, we had ward conference. I always love the opportunity to hear the Stake leaders come and speak to us. Our Stake President is 38 years old and has been the stake president for almost 10 years now. He has a great perspective on things, and is very inspiring. The Spirit is always strong when he speaks.

He shared a story of teaching his daughter how to ride a bike last week. He spoke of how different she was from the three boys that they had taught how to ride bikes previous to her. The boys had an all or nothing kind of attitude, and she was very different.

Yes, she was excited to learn how to ride a bike too, but she was also worried and nervous. He said on the way to take her to the parking lot where they were going to practice, she kept asking him, “Daddy, what if I mess up?” “What if I don’t do it right?” He said that she was so worried that she was going to do it wrong, and that concerned him.

He likened the scenario to how we as women are sensitive, and many times do worry about making mistakes. We often have the need to feel perfect. He said that we need to remember that we don’t have to be perfect. Instead, we just have to do our best, and that is what the Lord requires of us.

I have been thinking about this concept lately. Especially as it relates to the Grace of God. He is a just God, but He is also merciful. Which is why He provided a Savior for us, so that we might be able to return and live with Him someday because we certainly are not able to do that on our own.

I’m grateful for the knowledge that I don’t have to be perfect, but that I just have to try and have faith, and do the best I can every day. If I mess up, as the little girl on the bike was worried about, it will still be OK. Because I have a Savior that died for me.